Report: Joe Stevenson vs. Melvin Guillard at UFC Fight Night 9

Two of the most promising lightweights — and possibly fighters at any weight — to come out of The Ultimate Fighter reality series will meet at UFC Fight Night 9, according to MMAWeekly.com. The combatants? The Ultimate Fighter 2 welterweight winner Joe Stevenson (26-7 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and fellow cast member Melvin Guillard (20-5-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC).

This fight could very well be the night’s main event.

Stevenson was originally rumored to be fighting Caol Uno at UFC 68, and then it was rumored that the fight had been moved to UFC 69. In fact, Stevenson even posted the news of his fight with Uno on his personal Web site before it mysteriously disappeared. Although Uno’s return to the UFC would have been encouraging news, I think we’re getting a better fight with Guillard.

In fact, I’m saying it right now, and I truly mean it: I am more excited about this fight than probably another one scheduled for the 2007 calendar year.

And yes, I’m sure I’m about the only one.

But since appearing on the show (where an abrupt and surprising loss to Josh Burkman in the season’s second episode sent him packing), Guillard has looked like a completely different fighter. And since dropping to the lightweight division, he’s one of the biggest (and scariest) guys to ever compete at 155 pounds. His power and quickness are second to none.

Guillard was actually slated to face Dustin Hazelett at UFC 67 but had to pull out of the bout because of a hand injury.

Since the show, Guillard, a Team Punishment fighter, racked up wins over Marcus Davis (The Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale), Rick Davis (UFC 60) and Gabe Ruediger (at UFC 63 with a brutal KO via body punch). His lone loss was against Josh Neer at UFC Fight Night 3. Covered in blood and close to a doctor’s stoppage, Neer capitalized on Guillard’s carelessness and caught him in a triangle choke. The submission exploited what many fans believe is a huge hole: Guillard’s ground game.

Similarly, Stevenson’s only loss in the UFC was also to Neer, when he lost a unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 4. But he’s beaten Luke Cummo at The Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale, and he also picked up marquee victories over Yves Edwards (UFC 61) and Dokonjonosuke Mishima (UFC 65).

This should be an interesting match. Guillard clearly has the advantage standing, and Stevenson should be the favorite if the fight goes to the ground. Regardless, both guys are highly experienced despite being very young — Guillard is 23, and Stevenson is 24 — and this bout will be a great showcase of the talent that The Ultimate Fighter series can produce.

And although I say it about many fights, this one really should have major championship implications. Whoever wins this fight should get a crack at the title in his next bout.

UFC Fight Night 9 takes place April 5 at The Palms Las Vegas. It airs on Spike TV and precedes the debut episode of The Ultimate Fighter 5.

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